She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Elizabeth Loretta Black, her first husband, William F. Grimes, her second husband Raymond P. Schaefer, her eldest daughter Mara Jo (formerly Patricia Mary) Grimes, and her great-granddaughter Rachel Marie Grimes. She is survived by seven children: William (Judith) Grimes of Sunland, CA, David (Diane) Grimes of Somis, CA, Kathleen (Kent) Freiburghouse of Redondo Beach, CA, Raymond (Deborah) Grimes of Bremerton, WA, Cecilia (Stephen) Elias of Spokane, WA, Mary Ann (Michael) Carey of Spokane, WA, and Barbara (John) Gale of Nine Mile Falls, WA. She is also survived by Shari (David) Stockwell of Martinez, CA, adoptive parents of her daughter Mara's children. Her descendants number twenty grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (including two who are expected in the next few months).

Dorothy loved working as a nurse, going to Mass (several times a week if she could manage it), singing (to herself and others), cooking (especially for a big crowd), reading murder mysteries, doing crossword puzzles, playing card games with her grandchildren (for money), and getting her hair done. Most of all she loved watching over her family who will remember her as a generous and caring mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt.

Her family is extremely grateful to Dorothy's physician of 15 years, Dr. Michael Parisot, to her in-home caregivers, especially Alice and Julie, who enabled her to remain at home as long as possible, and to the staff of North Central Care Center who took such loving care of her in the last year. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane.